GCC does not presently plan to offer either Commissioners’ College or University of Scouting in 2023. In the absence of scheduled live training, we encourage you to check out the training modules on BSA’s Serving Scouts With Disabilities page, starting with the bundle Serving Youth with Disabilities, which includes
- NDA 101.Serving Scouts with Special Needs.ppt
- Guide to Working with Scouts with Disabilities.pdf
- Scouting for Youth with Disabilities #34059.pdf
- Guide to Advancement 2021.pdf
Other training bundles on that page will help you investigate specific topics such as allergies, autism, ADHD, camping, planning, etc. A word of caution, though. Forms bundled with training may not be applicable as-is at GCC.
Also note that the Inclusion Toolkit includes much useful information. In particular, check out the Unit Leader’s Role Supporting Scouts with a Disability. This section describes the roles of youth and adult leaders working together to support special needs. It also explores the need to strike a proper balance when offering help, making necessary accommodations, but not imposing assistance, or allowing the youth to depend on others for things they are capable of.
Our team can also arrange live training as needed for units and the staffs of summer camps, Wood Badge, NYLT, etc. Offerings include our Disabilities Awareness Overview as well as presentations from BSA.
To arrange training or get your questions answered, contact us by emailing AskSpecialNeeds@googlegroups.com or calling Dori Hammer at 720-878-4171.
We encourage all units to promote special needs awareness through program planning and activities, especially when new recruits arrive at the beginning of the school year. Some natural ways to pursue this are the Cub Scouts Disabilities Awareness Academics Belt Loop and Pin and the Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge for Scouts BSA.
Brief Introduction to Special Needs
A Scoutmaster’s Brief Introduction to Special Needs provides provides unit leaders a quickstart on this topic. While this sixteen minute video
emphasizes Scouts BSA, it contains information relevant to all GCC programs.
- A Scoutmaster’s Brief Introduction to Special Needs. The video itself.
- A Scoutmaster’s Brief Introduction to Special Needs-Script. Narrative for the video including hyperlinks.
- A Scoutmaster’s Brief Introduction to Special Needs-Slides. The presentation graphics, including attribution and credits.
- Know your Scout.An outline to aid discussions with your Scouts as discussed in the video.
NEWS
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NEW EVENT: Join the Family Adventure Camp at Camp Jackson Sawyer in the Florida Keys, specifically for Scouts with special needs or disabilities to be able to experience BSA Family Adventure Camp! Learn more here.
- Disabilities Awareness – Serving Scouts With Disabilities – The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities is that every youth wants to participate fully and be respected like every other member of the troop. While there are, by necessity, troops exclusively composed of Scouts with disabilities, experience has shown that Scouting usually succeeds best when every boy is part of a patrol in a regular troop.
- Autism “Awareness” — 10 Things You Should Know
A young man briefly explains what it’s like to be autistic. - Customized Employment — Michael Calahan
This video describes and exploration process whereby youth with disabilities can parley things they are good at and like to do into jobs. - Resources for the College Bound
- Here’s help for those with special needs who are looking for colleges or seeking scholarships.
- Thrive
THRIVE is a Community Parent Resource Center that serves all families in the Denver Metro area that have children with disabilities. - Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge
Teaching the Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge during troop meetings is a great way to increase awareness while getting the youths involved. - Meet the Buddy Troop
Learn how conventional units can buddy up with special needs units. - Special Needs Scouting Service Award Knot Now Available
This award was established to provide clear and visible recognition to adults, volunteer and professional, who serve the community of members with disabilities/special needs of the Scouting movement. - Denver Area Community Resources for Youth with Disabilities
This guide contains much useful information.
